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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

January 18, 2002 · Luscombe 8A · N71677

Wahoo, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 18, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wahoo, NE
Aircraft
Luscombe 8A
Tail Number
N71677
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA064

The airplane nosed down on the runway during the landing roll. The purpose of the flight was for the student to receive instruction for a tailwheel endorsement. The student reported that they had spent about one hour practicing takeoff and landings on the grass runway. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the student was progressing very well so they decided to switch to the concrete runway. The CFI reported that the second landing on the concrete runway was normal. He reported that as the airplane slowed during the landing roll, it nosed down despite "...elevator efforts to stop it." The CFI reported that the student pilot either over braked or the brake system was not functioning properly. The student reported, "On second landing, during rollout, either I pushed too much brake or we both pushed the same brake and the aircraft nosed over." Post accident inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any failure/malfunction of the brake system which would have resulted in the excessive braking.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student, who was a private pilot, used excessive braking during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On January 18, 2002, at 1400 central standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N71677, nosed down while landing on runway 20 (4,101 feet by 75 feet, concrete) at the Wahoo Municipal Airport, Wahoo, Nebraska. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the private pilot (student) were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the firewall. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Lincoln, Nebraska, at 1215. The purpose of the flight was for the student to receive instruction for a tailwheel endorsement. The student reported that they spent about one hour practicing takeoff and landings on the grass runway with a 30 degree crosswind. The CFI reported that the student was progressing very well, so they decided to switch to the concrete runway 20. The CFI reported the second landing on runway 20, with a 60 degrees crosswind, was normal and there was no tendency to ground loop. The CFI reported that as the airplane slowed during the landing roll, it nosed down despite "...elevator efforts to stop it." He reported that either the student had over braked or brake system was not functioning properly. The student reported that "On second landing, during rollout, either I pushed too much brake or we both pushed the same brake and the aircraft nosed over." The student pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the local winds were from 140 degrees at 10 knots. Inspection of the airplane was conducted by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Lincoln, Nebraska, Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported the engine mounts were pushed back into the firewall. He also reported that there was no mechanical failure/malfunction of the brake system which would have resulted in the excessive braking.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest AirportWahoo Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway20
Runway Length4101 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8A
Tail NumberN71677
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-8 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class · None
Crew 2None
Crew 3Age 34 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 9500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data